Renders of Xiaomi (小米) 18 Pro leak, show new AI hardware key to control cars and smart home

Leaked images spotlight a physical AI button

It has been reported that a set of renders posted to X by leaker @leo_hefeng and picked up by IT Home (IT之家) show Xiaomi (小米)’s next flagship, the 18 Pro. The images emphasize a new hardware AI button on the phone’s side. The key is reportedly configurable to launch AI features quickly and — notably — to control smart-home devices and Xiaomi’s car platform (小米汽车).

Design retains last year’s layout with a few twists

From the renders the 18 Pro appears to keep the three-camera layout and rear auxiliary display introduced on the 17 Pro. But the addition of a dedicated AI button signals a shift: manufacturers in China are treating on-device AI as a primary interaction model, not just a software feature. Who wants instant access to an assistant, IoT controls or vehicle commands? Xiaomi seems to be betting many users will.

Specs leaked but unconfirmed

Reportedly the 18 Pro will use a 6.3‑inch display, pair a 200‑megapixel main sensor with a 3x long‑focus 200MP unit, and carry a battery exceeding 7,000 mAh. It has also been reported that a smaller flagship iteration may adopt a 2nm process chip in future iterations — a claim that remains unverified and would be significant given the wider chip-supply politics.

Why this matters beyond the handset

For Western readers: Xiaomi is a major Chinese tech conglomerate expanding into cars and smart-home ecosystems, so a phone that doubles as an AI and vehicle-control hub reinforces the company’s integrated strategy. Context matters — Beijing’s push on domestic AI and chip self-reliance, and Washington’s export controls on certain semiconductor technologies, make hardware claims about ultra-advanced nodes and on-device AI both commercially and geopolitically sensitive. For now these renders offer a look at direction, not final specs.